Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Philip Fatch was shot and mortally wounded and another deputy was slightly wounded in a gunfight with a man they attempted to arrest on a warrant for assault and battery.
When approached, the suspect produced a pistol and opened fire, striking Deputy Fatch in the abdomen and the other deputy in his ankle. Both deputies returned fire striking the suspect three times. Deputy Fatch succumbed to his wound later that night.
Two nights later an angry mob seized the suspect from the Mobile County Jail and hanged him from a tree at the corner of Emmanuel and Church Streets.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq18x5ysd1zqan7pn8jj- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Philip. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Fatch served with the Mobile County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Mobile community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Fatch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mobile County Sheriff's Department has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Philip is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Philip is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Philip is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1909, 1 officer at Mobile County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1975, with 2.
In 1909, 4 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1909, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1909, 103 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Philip was 40. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Mobile County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34.3 and 39.8; the middle age was 37.
Philip was 40. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
Philip was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Philip was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 33.3% of these deaths at Mobile County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 16.7%.
January holds 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Thursdays: 13.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Mobile County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; pistol, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Mobile County Sheriff's Department has 6 officers remembered here, Philip among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Mobile County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
